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PALM COAST, Fla., — AdventHealth physicians in Flagler County have begun referring patients in need of mental health services to IMPOWER, a leading provider of telehealth mental health care for children, adolescents, adults and families statewide.
The enhanced partnership comes as AdventHealth seeks to expand how its providers connect Flagler patients with access to IMPOWER’s therapy and psychiatric services from the convenience of their own homes – a priority not only during Mental Health Awareness Month in May, but all year long.
“We are thrilled that our patients will be able to access counseling and other mental health care through IMPOWER right from their laptop or smartphone,” said Ron Jimenez, chief executive officer of AdventHealth Palm Coast. “We want to break down the stigma around seeking help in this way and also make it as easy as possible.”
The new referrals to IMPOWER, which AdventHealth supported last year with a $114,000 grant, come as IMPOWER also reached a deal with Flagler Schools to provide services for students and families.
“More access to mental health services is sorely needed in Flagler County and we are pleased to be part of the solution along with AdventHealth and Flagler Schools,” said Anna Kesic, president/CEO of IMPOWER.
The Flagler County School Board approved an agreement in March with four mental health care organizations, including IMPOWER, after AdventHealth helped bring the two together through its own partnership with IMPOWER.
“We’ve seen a dramatic rise in the need for mental health services for our families here in Flagler County,” said Cathy Mittelstadt, superintendent of Flagler Schools. “This will help connect these services to the children who need them the most.”
IMPOWER has provided more than 1 million services to patients across Florida and began offering counseling and psychiatric telehealth services in 2013, years before the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the convenience and effectiveness of virtual appointments.